Bee Breeders Architecture Competitions has announced winners for the Pape Nature Park Gateway architecture competition, tasked participants with envisioning iconic and creative projects for an entranceway into the park. The project combined functional services and aesthetic design on a scale that would welcome guests and imprint a memory not soon forgotten.

The competition was launched as the second in a series of architecture competitions focusing on the natural splendor of the Pape Nature Park in Latvia. 

The winning project by Arthur Schoeler and Corentin Dalon from Belgium was entitled “LEARNING FROM ASCETISM - Against austerity: for a fundamentalist materialism”. Their simple tower structure incorporated natural elements in the wood, straw, earth and stone materials used for construction. Their environmentally-inspired design also earned them the BB Green Award.

Second prize went to Jeffrey Clancy from the USA for his “Gateway to Pape Nature Park” project, whose simple barn-like roof structure hovered gently over the park’s untouched dirt road, connected to humble stone volumes that housed the visitor center. Third prize was awarded to the Origami Roof project submitted by Bogdan Bondarenko, Kostiantyn Bondarenko and Olena Kashpur from the Ukraine company, BONDARENKO GROUP, with its planking and reed roof in keeping with local folk architecture.

BB Student Award went to Mori Kahara from WASEDA University, Japan, his project is titled as "Blow, Chain" The Gateway of Wood Chain.

See the winning projects below with short jury comments:

1st prize + BB Green Award: LEARNING FROM ASCETISM - Against austerity: for a fundamentalist materialism by Arthur Schoeler and Corentin Dalon from Belgium

Jury comments:

"Though a rather long-winded title, “LEARNING FROM ASCETISM - Against austerity: for a fundamentalist materialism” really captured the jury’s attention with its simplicity. A simple tower built of wood, straw, and earth, with a stone foundation that anchors it to the landscape, balancing the strength of the elements in its very structure. The jury loved the straightforward design, and how the participants created such a bold and elegant statement that shared such a strong connection with the earth and green design. It managed all this while fitting in the suggested budget, accommodating the competition programme and incorporating a new function, an observation platform. For this reason it was awarded both first prize and the BB Green Award."

Read interview with the 1st prize winners

2nd prize: Gateway to Pape Nature Park by Jeffrey Clancy from the USA

Jury comments:

"The “Gateway To Pape Nature Park” take cues from vernacular materials and typologies without attempting to mimic. The simple barn-like roof structure hovers gently over the untouched dirt road, framing the beauty of the destination beyond and is accompanied by humble stone volumes that house programmatic elements of visitor center. What stood out to the jury was the careful consideration the entrant had given to the construction process, creating an impressive shape that was scaleable, without dramatically increasing the budget. Its high, repetitive roof structure allows access for large vehicles, with traditional barn-raising techniques proving more than adequate for its construction, eliminating the need for heavy machinery."

Read interview with the 2nd prize winners

3rd prize: Origami Roof by Bogdan Bondarenko, Kostiantyn Bondarenko and Olena Kashpur from the Ukraine

Jury comments:

"The Origami Roof repurposes an abandoned 40 foot cargo container and integrates it into the core of its structure. The participants envisioned their project as less of a security point or border to the park, but rather an entrance into the world of pristine nature, with much of the structure being transparent, serving as a window into the wild. What marks this entry is its potential to become an iconic landmark in its own right, with its planking and reed roof in keeping with local folk architecture, while also being strikingly unique and eye catching and sure to appear in many Instagram posts for years to come."

Read interview with the 3rd prize winners

Student Award: "Blow, Chain" The Gateway of Wood Chain by Mori Kahara from WASEDA University, Japan

Read full interview with BB Student winner

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Top image: 1st prize + BB Green Award winner: LEARNING FROM ASCETISM - Against austerity: for a fundamentalist materialism by Arthur Schoeler and Corentin Dalon from Belgium

All images courtesy of Bee Breeders Architecture Competitions

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